Letter: N.J. gun laws already too harsh

Guns are displayed on tables in Camden, N.J., Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, after New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced that a gun buyback event brought in more than 1,100 guns.
(AP Photo/Mel Evans)

To the Editor:

New Jersey does not need stricter gun control. The Star-Ledger of Newark editorial that appeared in the April 29 Times endorsing an Assembly bill to limit magazine capacity to 10 rounds is an endorsement of criminalizing legal gun owners.

This bill gives owners 90 days to get rid of guns or magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. This is simply outrageous. These items were purchased legally under existing laws. Even Connecticut’s new laws didn’t go that far. There, at least, they grandfathered in guns and magazines that were purchased before the new 10-round limit came in.

New York State’s seven-round limit is problematic. They were in such a rush that a strict reading would require police to get rid of weapons with more than seven rounds. Now they need to revise the law and work in exemptions.

Requiring face-to-face ammunition sales is also unfair to gun owners. I shoot many odd-caliber guns whose ammunition is unavailable locally. I buy all the time via mail order. Otherwise, I would be unable to target shoot.

New Jersey’s gun laws are too harsh already and don’t need to be made stricter. Why do I need a purchase permit in order to buy a rusty antique handgun?